During my sophomore year of college (2004), I felt God
calling me to make this tremendous move in my life. I was attending Saginaw
Valley State University in Michigan in which I was really involved in His House
Christian Fellowship on campus there. I felt Him nudging me out of my comfort
zone and making a huge move to Hawai’i to attend the University of Hawai’i Hilo
on the Big Island. At first, I loved the idea..I mean, come on..Hawai’i!! But I had a lot of doubts in
my mind. I was so comfortable with where
I was in Michigan and I was growing in my faith and had a lot of friends at His
House. I wasn’t ready to leave everything and everyone behind. I wanted to
serve God where I was and was not willing to surrender it all and follow him
just yet.
God wasn’t giving up on me…what patience He has! After
continually praying about this move that God had placed on my heart for so
long, I eventually decided to surrender it all, trust in Him and I moved in the
middle of my junior year (2007).
in my life is the complete dependence on God that I had.
This was my first time moving out of state and my first time moving to a town
where the people never knew that a Stephanie Tyrna had even existed in the
world. I knew that I would have to physically make this journey alone, but I
also knew that spiritually, God would be by my side guiding me every step of
the way.
Through my obedience [finally!], God had blessed my
entire journey. I became involved in the Baptist Collegiate Ministries at UH
Hilo as soon as I first arrived in Hawai’i. I immediately felt at home and knew
that God had placed me on this island and in the little town of Hilo for a
reason. I was asked to join the leadership team during my second semester – something
I never imagined I would consider being a part of. It has stretched me and
challenged me. I now have a huge “ohana” here in Hawai’i and could not have
been more blessed with such an amazing group of believers who have comforted me
in trying times, challenged me in my walk with God, loved me despite my flaws
and imperfections, and poured out their lives into mine.
those of His. Throughout this journey, God has stretched me, broke me, molded
me and shaped me. I have gone through some of the highest points and lowest
points of my life this past year, and I know it has all been God’s way of
building my character. I have never had such dependence on Him before and
looking back now, I know that this transition in my life was one of His many
preparations for His future plans that He has for me – especially the world
race. Because once again, I will be moving out of my comfort zone, going to
foreign lands not knowing anyone and will have to completely depend on Him
every step of the way. I am beyond excited to share this journey with the love
of my life, my Heavenly Father!
